DECREE TOUCHING THE MANNER OF LIVING, AND OTHER MATTERS TO BE OBSERVED,
DURING THE COUNCIL

The sacred and holy Synod of Trent--lawfully assembled in the Holy
Ghost, the same three legates of the Apostolic See presiding
therein--recognising, with the blessed apostle James,
that Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the father of lights, who, to those who ask of him wisdom, giveth to all
abundantly, and upbraideth them not; and knowing withal that The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, hath ordained and decreed, that all
and each of the faithful of Christ, assembled in the city of Trent, be
exhorted, as they are hereby exhorted, to amend themselves of their evils
and sins heretofore committed, and to walk henceforth in the fear of the
Lord; not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh; to be instant in prayer; to
confess more frequently; to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist; to
visit churches; to fulfil, in fine, as far as each one shall be able, the
commandments of the Lord; and, furthermore, to pray daily in private for
peace between Christian princes, and for the unity of the Church: and as
regards the bishops, and all others soever constituted in the priestly
order, who are celebrating together an ecumenical council in this city,
that they give heed to apply themselves assiduously to the praises
[Page 14] of God;
to offer up victims, praises, and prayers; to celebrate the sacrifice of
the mass on each Sunday at least, the day whereon God made the light, rose
again from the dead, and poured forth the Holy Ghost upon the disciples;
making, as the same Holy Ghost enjoins by the apostle, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, thanksgiving, for our most holy lord the Pope, for
the emperor, for kings, and others who are placed in high stations, and for
all men, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, may enjoy peace, and
see an increase of faith. Furthermore, it exhorts that they fast at least
on every Friday, in memory of the passion of the Lord, and give alms to the
poor: further, on every Thursday there shall be celebrated, in the
cathedral church, the mass of the Holy Ghost, with the litanies and other
prayers appointed for this end; and on the same day there shall be said, in
the other churches, at least the litanies and prayers; and during the time
that the sacred services are being performed, let there be no talking or
conversing together, but with mouth and mind association with the
celebrant. And forasmuch as It behoveth bishops to be blameless, sober,
chaste, ruling well their own household, (the Council) exhorts also that,
above all, each observe sobriety at table, and moderation in diet; further,
that, whereas idle conversations are often wont to arise there, the reading
of the divine Scriptures be introduced, even at the tables of bishops; and
let each teach and charge his servants not to be quarrelsome, given to
wine, immodest, covetous, proud, blasphemous, and lovers of pleasures; in
fine, let them shun vice and follow after virtue, and in dress, demeanour,
and in all their actions show forth modesty, as becomes the servants of the
servants of God.

Moreover, whereas it is the chief care, solicitude, and intention of
this sacred and holy council, that, the darkness of heresies, which during
so many years has covered the earth, being dispelled, the light,
brightness, and purity of Catholic truth may, by the assistance of Jesus
Christ, who is the true light, shine forth; and that those things which
need reformation may be reformed; the said Synod exhorts all Catholics here
assembled,
[Page 15] and to be assembled, and especially those skilled in sacred
letters, that by sedulous meditation they ponder diligently within
themselves, by what ways and means the intention of the Synod may be best
carried out and obtain the desired effect; that, in the most prompt and
prudent manner, the things to be condemned, may be condemned; and those to
be approved of be approved; that so, throughout the whole world, all may,
with one mouth, and with the same confession of faith, glorify God, and the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And in delivering their sentiments, when the priests of the Lord are
sitting together in the place of benediction, no one--agreeably to the
statute of the council of Toledo--ought either to be boisterous by
immoderate outcries, or to cause disturbance by tumult; none to be
contentious with false, vain, or obstinate disputation; but let whatsoever
is said be so tempered by the mildest utterance of the words spoken, that
neither the hearers may be offended, nor the rectitude of a correct
judgment be warped by the mind being troubled.

Furthermore, this sacred Synod has ordained and decreed, that if it
should chance to happen that any do not sit in their due places, and (thus)
deliver their sentiments, even under the word Placet, (It pleaseth us,) are
present at the Congregations, and take part in any other act whatsoever
during the council, none shall thereby be prejudiced, none acquire a new
right.

INDICTION OF THE NEXT SESSION

After this, the next Session was indicted for Thursday, the fourth of the
ensuing February.